FiveFingers, So Many Choices What's Best for Me?

*****  Updates on Entrada, Alitza, Maiori, EL-X, Signa and Treksport Sandal coming soon ***


Vibram FiveFingers, we wear them because we just like the feeling of being barefoot and free
or...

• We are cool
• We are all about functionality
• We seek an healthy alternative to regular footwear
• We want to look look different
• We are attention seekers
• We are hardcore minimalists
  
  
  

Or just because …..

Nevertheless we love our FiveFingers.

I am writing this entry because I am constantly being asked why I pick this style over that other one in my 59 pairs of FiveFingers (so far and counting) for whatever activity I participate in.  I am not a FiveFingers Guru but since this has been my only footwear since Feb. 2005 I can safely say that I have invested quite a bit of time and energy in finding the right footwear for the right activities.

So, what is the style that meets my activities best? What are the differences?

FiveFingers come in many styles and choices.and as it turns out they are not all equal. 

You can drive both a SUV and a Lamborghini to the mountain, yet you have better chances driving the SUV in your quest. What I am saying is that the many FiveFingers styles available were designed with a specific set of activities in mind with a sole crafted for a particular terrain and impact type on the user's forefoot.

Here is my rundown on styles and what they are best for:

TREKSPORT SANDAL:

The TREKSPORT SANDAL is a 2013 addition to the VFF's Lineup , sporting the popular aggressive sole found in the TREKSPORT. This incarnation is well ventilated on the sides, back of the heel and on the top thus making it a great addition for warm summer days as they will keep your feet cool. I find them to be great for golfing, everyday city treks, hikes (with reservations) and any type of activities that do not include sand and mud and other wet debris. I find these sandals very difficult to wear in muddy, sandy and dusty terrains as all that stuff will pile-up rapidly inside the sandal's foot bed and get to be very irritating to the skin and making this situation very uncomfortable. The stiffer sole will prevent you from using a downward toe grip.

SIGNA:

The SIGNA is the absolute minimalist dream, designed for warm water wear, super flexible (fold down and fits in your pockets) and the 'Wave Grip' sole makes you feel like a gecko on wet surfaces. The SIGNA does not provide any cushioning to the forefoot. This VFF is great for water applications; the sole is designed with many drainage holes which allow the footwear to dry faster than you can think. I have used the SIGNA for short runs and I found them very comfortable and resilient.

MAIORI:

The MAIORI is the 'Hummer' of cold waters. I do like the fact that Vibram took in consideration the fact the 4^th toe and the pinky toe are connected together at the sole thus preventing injuries that are so common while entering a kayak and other small volume crafts. The high collar provides good protection to the ankle bone. They are also very toasty in colder waters and the 'Wave Grip' sole provides exceptional traction on wet surfaces. The ankle collar is tight and might present a challenge to the unaccustomed VFF users but will keep all water borne debris out of your footwear. In essence, the SIGNA is the more practical version of the FLOW and the former SURGE; MAIORI has great grip on wet surfaces and unlike the FLOW & SURGE, the MAIORI's sole is very flexible thus allowing your toes to really grip downward whatever in under your feet. Wearing socks with MAIORI is definitely a NO NO as that will defeat the purpose of the neoprene vamp.

ENTRADA & ALITZA:

Crafted for the ladies, these new styles are a great replacement option for those who long the departure of the CLASSIC. If anything, the ENTRADA and the ALITZA are much nicer, more breathable with the mesh upper, have a better and more flexible sole than the CLASSIC. An abrasion test on the soles showed little degradation (4.2% material loss) after a 750 Km simulation using the FOX method of running and walking. They are very easy to clean and do dry much faster than the CLASSIC. You can also fit hem in your pockets. The ALITZA is a very elegant design with the little cross straps. Definitely not designed for running or trekking but perfect for casual everyday wear.

EL-X:

The EL-X is a simple design for men, very easy to put on, and well ventilated with its mesh upper. The sole offers a good grip on dry and wet surfaces and is similar to the ENTRADA as performance is concerned. Don't be afraid to clean the m daily as they dry very fast. The EL-X is great for everyday casual wear and travel wear. I do not classify them as running or trail material (TREKSPORT, SEEYA (LS) and BIKILA (LS) are made for running). The EL-X will fit nicely in your pockets when not needed. I recommend caution as I lost one while jumping in a pool; the water pressure on entry took it right off my foot. The EL-X is a great addition for the VFF beginner and the seasoned wearer alike.

CLASSIC and CLASSIC FRESCA:

I use them for light exercises, walking around, traveling. I do not use them for running as there are better options for that activity.  I do not use them for water activities as they get rip off my feet easily with water. They are fine in the rain and perfect for warm weather with their very open design. (I wash them after each use).  The thin razor striped sole offers exceptional dexterity.  When you need that extra edge with a toe grip the KSO will deliver; the FRESCA does not flex as much.

SPRINT:

I use them for running short distances (2 Km or less), light exercises, walking around, traveling, long walks wet and dry. The difference is the strap that holds your foot down and prevent slippage; wet or sweat do not affect the performance as the insole gets grimy. ( wash them after each use).  The thin razor striped sole offers exceptional dexterity.  When you need that extra edge with a toe grip this one will deliver..

KSO:

I consider the KSO to be the SUV the the FiveFingers line of products. KSO will take you from the sidewalk to the road, the lake and the mud and back to the street without having to worry about traction. They have the ability to shed water better than any other FiveFingers and easy to maintain. KSO are my favorite climbing footwear. They stay on your feet, no mater whatever you throw at them. (I wash them after each use.  The thin razor striped sole offers exceptional dexterity.  When you need that extra edge with a toe grip this one will deliver..Also great for Parkour.

KSO TREKSPORT:

The TREKSPORT is the Hummer of the FiveFingers. They sport most of the features the KSO has to offer but with a more aggressive sole. They have a very similar upper Velcro fastening system and stay put on your feet when needed. The heel cup has tendencies to absorb more water as it is more padded but other than that it does what its intended to do. The insole is a little thicker thus offering more protection against the harsh elements. Over time, they have become my favorite golf and trail footwear . (I wash them after each use)  The stiffer sole will prevent you from using a downward toe grip.

SPYRIDON LS:

The SPYRIDON LS is the new “Oshkosh M-ATV” of the FiveFingers line of products. This style sports a mid-sole armor plating that distributes foot strike impacts thus minimizing fascia bruising while impacting very rough terrain with those pesky pointy rocks. The aggressive sole allows for great grip under dry and wet conditions. They are not as breathable and feel much warmer than the KSO and TREKSPORT but they are worth the sacrifice. They also have the tendencies to accumulate more water and other debris when wet and take much longer to dry than the CLASSIC, SPRINT, KSO and TREKSPORT. One of my favorite when going up a mountain (approach).  They do also work well for Parkour.  The stiffer sole will prevent you from using a downward toe grip.

 SPYRIDON:
 The SPYRIDON is where 'Thread meets Tread'... Armor plated, quick drying, tight ankle collar, very aggressive all terrain  XSTrek Vibram Rubber sole, Stretch Mesh and Polyamide Upper.....  Think of the SPYRIDON as the KSO on steroids .....  Dry & Dusty, Wet & Muddy, Pebbles & Jagged Rocks,   the SPYRIDON screams "Bring-it-On" yet feels very comfortable in the urban jungle.  In a post-Apocalypse world the SPYRIDON would be my first choice.  It is my opinion the the SPYRIDON is the better version of the LS version.

BIKILA (and LS):

Born to run with their specialized forefoot padding and a sole designed for long distance running the BIKILA is perfect for that purpose. (Vibram carefully crafted this style for the runner). They are also great for long walks and casual wear. I see them as stylish and love them. I think of them as my little foot Ferrari. I do not take them to water-sport related activities because of too many points of entry for stuff to get in (I have SUV for that).

SPEED:

Ah! My beloved SPEED …... The SPEED offers similar  features as the BIKILA and the SPEED has a breathable Nylon/Poly sandwich mesh upper, a Lycra fabric flex zone on the upper vamp, and Non Slip Nylon Lace 10 eye System. The only noticeable difference is in the thickness of the insole which is roughly 1 mm thinner than the BIKILA, in general I find that the SPEED gives a better ground feedback.  Overall, the SPEED is definitely the perfect travel companion; not my choice for long runs but absolutely casual perfect for an all night-out.   

KSO TREK:
This one is my favorite for cool and cold dry weather.  Definitely not my choice for wet weather but offers good protection in cool weather, great traction and forefoot padding.  Great for travel, long walks and some hiking.  The suede leather feels very nice and soft.  That nice look will return after a quick wash and a suede brush.  The stiffer sole will prevent you from using a downward toe grip.

KOMODOSPORT (and LS):

My favorite cross-fit training footwear. The sole is specifically designed to allow lateral movement (side to side) with a thicker insole to absorb impacts; they are in their ideal environment at the gym. I do not use for water related activities (water activities require sure footing with grip, lateral movement is not part of good grip); and the mid-sole and padding absorb quite a bit of water when wet (water related debris also accumulate underneath the insole and make them uncomfortable). Short runs are OK and so is casual wear. The stiffer sole will prevent you from using a downward toe grip. Most definitely NOT for the trails.

FLOW:

FLOW is one of my favorite winter footwear in wet conditions. The sole, similar to KSO is made with IdroGrip performance rubber that makes you feel like a Gecko. This is a similar rubber compound as what is used on climbing shoes. Perfect for cool and cold wet weather and any water-sport activities. Also, wearing socks with the FLOW defeats the purpose of neoprene which is designed to tightly fit against the skin.  The insulating properties of the neoprene are achieved when a moisture film is deposited between the epidermis and the neoprene;  wearing socks especially wet will hold too much water and you get to feel cold much faster.  Also great for Parkour.

SeeYa (and LS):

The SeeYa is the ridiculously minimalistic running footwear. providing that you know how to run barefoot; the Seeya will give you road hazard protection. They are really like almost wearing nothing. The heel-cup seems to run wide but they will stay on your feet; after-all you run forefoot. I had a few few friends that got nasty blisters on the top of their feet which I believe are caused by the new, more abrasive Polyester Stretch Mesh. I understand that some of these issues have been addressed with the LS version.

JAYA (and LR):

The JAYA are by far the least minimalistic of the FiveFingers line with a sole made of 5.5mm EVA and 3.5mm TC1 Inlays. They are designed for indoor fitness. The outside world is definitely not good friend with the soft EVA sole of the JAYA, and most definitely not a water-sport footwear. The rubber pads do provide good grip in the gym and fitness classroom.

BORMIO and TREK LS and CAREZZA:

I love my BORMIO and TREK LS and CAREZZA. I treated them with 4 layers of warm Beeswax and they are very very water resistant. They are my choice of footwear in cold snowy weather. The warm boiled wool interiors of the BORMIO keep my toes warm and cozy; a brush of paraffin wax on the zippers makes them almost totally waterproof.  The TREK LS is my footwear of choice for dress casual wear.  I do wear  the TREK LS with socks.  the TREK LS has tendencies to shed its tones on bare skin.  My BORMIO and TREK LS can and do get washed from time to time; once dried I treat them again with beeswax   When left untreated the black will look grey-ish and brown will look very faded and they absorb water quickly.  These bad boys are made of real leather; treat them respectfully.  The CAREZZA is the ultimate knee-hi fur lined boot and perfect for harsh cold snowy winters.

LONTRA
The Lontra is like a tank, a little stiffer than other VFF's, after-all thay are winter footwear made to protect the wearer from frost and other harsh element; they are sporting a multilayer laminate upper with fully taped seams provides insulation and water resistance; a micro-pile fleece liner make this VFF very warm and comfortable to wear even barefoot, still I prefer to wear them with a pair of Smart-Wool Injinji socks; a 4mm EVA mid-sole on the forefoot provides insulation against frozen terrains which is very efficient.  I find them to be almost too warm.  I especially like the tight neoprene heel cuff which keeps the  snow and other trail debris out of my footwear.  I've been thru some pretty wet areas with mud and melting snow and my feet stayed dry and warm; that's a nice bonus for cold wet winter weather.  I find them very easy to put on, but again it's only my opinion and experience as I have spent most of my life  running barefoot and have been wearing VFF"s since 2005.  I can easily imagine that it could be challenging for some people to put a pair on.

MOC & PERFORMA:

Some people have bunny slippers and I have my MOC. MOC and PERFORMA are the most minimalistic FiveFingers footwear to date. Definitely an interior footwear. I have seen people in the recent past walking downtown with MOC and PERFORMA and it literally broke my heart.

Notes on Beaches and Yoga:

Beaches are better done barefoot. Who goes running at the beach wearing any footwear? Enjoy the sand, exfoliate those fascias, it will do you good !

Yoga is one activity that should always be done barefoot, but again I am no Guru. It's OK to connect with your mat and mother earth.

In retrospect I use different FiveFingers for specific activities:

Water:

KSO, SPRINT, FLOW, TREKSPORT, SPYRIDON, SIGNA, MAIORI

Running on Road:

BIKILA, BIKILA LS and for the very experienced SEEYA and SEEYA LS

Trail Running:

SPYRIDON, SPYRIDON LS, TREKSPORT and KSO for the hardcore runners
TREKSPORT SANDAL (with reservations)

At the Gym Cross-Fit Training:

KOMODOSPORT and KOMODOSPORT LS

At the Gym Fitness Training:

JAYA, JAYA LR, MOC, PERFORMA, KOMODOSPORT, KOMODOSPORT LS

Casual Wear and Travel:

SPEED, BIKILA LS, KSO, SPRINT, CLASSIC, TREKSPORT, KSO TREK (LS),
KOMODOSPORT (LS), TREKSPORT SANDAL, EL-X, ENTRADA, ALITZA

Climbing:

FLOW, KSO, SPYRIDON, SPYRIDON LS

Beach and Yoga:

Go barefoot and enjoy yourself

And remember: It's OK to clean your FiveFingers after each use, have fun, jump in the shower with your footwear and use the suds, rinse them and let them dry overnight in a cool ventilated area and they will be ready, waiting to take you to your next adventure.

Here is also the link on how to maintain them: http://fivefingers-tips.blogspot.com/2011/09/stinky-fivefingers-other-minimalist.html

Orange Blossom.

My Version of a Shoe Tree ...... my 63 pairs and counting...

Notes:
I have been a "Barefoot" minimalist for the past 55 years.
I use the "Run like a Fox - Stalk like a Fox" method.
I am not sponsored by Vibram in any ways.
This is my personal collection of VFF's that I have purchased since VFF's inception.
I use a running style called “Fox Running”and walking style "Fox Stalking"
I get, on average 2,800 Km  ( 1,750 miles) of usability per pair.


--  Some VFF's were not rated for water because they offered less grip in wet conditions and were accumulating too much stuff insde to be comfortable wearing in extreme conditions.

-- Some VFF's were rated Inside only because that is their intended purpose and the EVA mid-sole is too soft for hard and harsh terrain.

-- Some VFF's were not rated for running because of a detachable insole or were not providing the right amount of protection on forefoot strike.

-- Some VFF's were not rated for trails because they do not offer the minimum amount of protection required for a fun trail run experience.

Stinky FiveFingers & other Minimalist Footwear ?

Stinky FiveFingers and Other Minimalist Footwear that we Love to Wear Barefoot?

I hear and see horror stories about the unbearable funk that follow some users like a nuclear mushroom over their heads and t heir feet…. God forbid when they take them off .... Run for your life !
I have to admit that, since my first pair back in 2005, I have never encountered such problem ever. I have taken some time to specially investigate the funk phenomenon at my lab using some of my friends' VFF's that have the issue haunting them. You sure do not want to wait till your partner ask you to spend the night on the back porch ... !
Here is the scoop:
Foot odor come from sweat, dead skin and the Corynebacteria and Micrococci bacteria;
A human foot, with it’s 250,000 sweat glands, during the course of a day can sweat up to 1/2 pint of liquids composed of the following ingredients: Fatty Acids, Urea, Sebum and many other organic compounds. Just add a little heat from your body a couple days of wear compounded by accumulating materials then you just made yourself the ultimate stink bomb. You just uncovered the bio-chemist in you ... !
When you wear regular shoes or sneakers with socks you don’t wear your same socks for an entire week… Socks absorb sweat & dead skin. When your wear VFF’s barefoot your footwear absorb sweat & dead skin. That needs to be washed or it will stink, sometimes very very bad, depending on the individual’s chemistry …..
I have these simple rules:

• I wash my feet before I get in my VFF’s 
• I apply  Crystal salts on my feet after a shower on hot days
• I jump in the shower and clean-rinse my VFF’s (with a little sud from my body-wash) at the end of the day, then let them air dry wherever there is air circulation (be creative here, a window seal in summer no direct sun, near an air vent in winter no direct heat).
• Every 2-3 days, depending on my daily activities My VFF’s will get a real wash in the machine and will air day as usual.
• Always use lukewarm or cold water with regular laundry detergent when using a washing machine.
• Always Dry my VFF"s away from the sun or heat sources and in a well ventilated area.

Never let you VFF"s go out of control. The more you wait, the more difficult it will be to get your VFF's clean again.

It all comes down to Basic hygiene; Prevention and a good maintenance regimen will give you years of fun times with your FiveFingers footwear. I am not a clean freak but since I was born with only 1 pair of feet and I hear that they are not replaceable I'd rather take good care of them and my footwear too.

Providing that you can stand socks, Injinji is a premier maker of sport toe socks & liners that works perfect with FiveFingers footwear. This solution works beautifully but if you choose not to wear socks then clean, clean clean.... repeat ... clean, clean, clean ...

There is also the issue with "hyperactive sweat glands";  a quick remedial is to spray a thin coat of antiperspirant  on the bottom of your feet.  This has worked very efficiently for our test subjects with that condition.

I also need to stress the fact that wearing dirty footwear without socks will drastically increase your risk in developing severe blistering caused by slippage.  (I also have an article on this topic in my blog here)

Among other we investigated the following products:

• Lysol
• UV Light bacteria killer
• Mouthwash
• Peroxide (H2O2)
• Vinegar / Water mix
• OxyClean
• Denture tablets
• Baking Soda pockets
• Fabric Softener sheet
  
• Sportzyme by Norwex
• SteriShoe™ shoe sanitizer
• Crystal  deodorant salts

Is my Footwear Clean Yet ???

It wasn't easy but fun, it took some time and finally I have some very interesting results on a range of cleaning methods for out of control funk on FiveFingers.

The research work and all products & footwear used in the process were funded by myself, for the sheer benefit of my own curiosity.

Each product or recipe was graded as follow:

• From 1 to 10 as 1 is the least efficient and 10 the most efficient
• A $ represents the cheapest methods and $$$$$ the most expensive.Enjoy and give them a try

---PRODUCT---------------------------- Effectiveness--Cost per month

• Lysol ---------------------------------------------- 6------ $
• UV Light bacteria killer --------------------------- 7------ $$$$$
• Mouthwash -------------------------------------------4------ $
• Peroxide (H2O2) -------------------------------------7------ $
• Vinegar / Water mix ---------------------------------7----- $
• OxyClean ------------------------------------------- 8------ $$
• Denture tablets -------------------------------------8------ $$$
• Baking Soda pockets ---------------------------------9------ $$
• Fabric Softener sheet -------------------------------8------ $
  
• Sportzyme by Norwex ---------------------------------7------ $$$
• SteriShoe™ shoe sanitizer -------------------------- 7------ $$$$$
• Crystal Deodorant Salts -----------------------------10 ----- $
  

The research is based on the following:

• 3 consecutive days of wear @ 12 hrs per day
• same activities on each test pair
• We used 6 pairs of KSO All black, Size 44
• 1 shoe used for each test cleaning method
• 1 shoe left out since the experiment requires 11 units

The VFF's were carefully cleaned and processed in the same manner; the cleaning process was followed by a 12 hrs drying period in a controlled environment consisting of a box 36x36x24 with the item placed on a stainless steel mesh shelf. 2 fans developing 15 cfm were used with a 25 watts incandescent light bulb, the temperature inside the container was at 77.5 Deg. F. Relative humidity was contained and kept constant at 30%.

A bacteria culture was conducted in an inert medium after the drying cycle was completed. Colonies count were conducted after 24 hrs of incubation.
My Thanks to 2 interns with keen olfactory senses for providing the human sniff of approval.

Analysis and results:



Some of the best results come the simplest ideas !
Take your daily shower with your footwear, when your are done, give em a quick rinse and let them dry in a cool ventilated area overnight.  Your favorite footwear will be ready for you, cleaned and bacteria free, ready to to take you to more fun places !  And every 3  days or so give them a good wash in the washing machine !  It's the most simple method and the quickest too !  On hot days I apply Crystal deodorants rock salts on sole of my feet right after my shower; these salts inhibit bacterial growth to nearly 100%.  That combination is the most efficient VFF's odor control to date.  Nothing else comes remotely close to this method.

I must say that OxyClean and the baking soda pockets were the most efficient of all the tryouts. OxyClean was used in the sink at 30% dilution with a soak in warm water for 5 minutes followed by a quick hand scrub then a rinse with clean water followed by air dry. OxyClean will not affect the colors of your footwear. It's formula Na₂CO₃•H₂O₂ is composed of sodium carbonate and peroxide. It is eco-friendly and nitrogen and phosphorus free.

The other systems that worked very well were a clean water rinse the dry the VFF"s with a Arm & Hammer softener sheet on the foot-bed (or the Baking Soda Pocket) and a regular dry period. (Other brands of softener sheets gave very poor results as in general it left a very unpleasant mixture of foot funk - flowers scent potpourri)

The denture tablets are interesting ..... Soak for 4 Hrs, wash in the machine, air dry .... The result is minty fresh VFF's providing that you have 6 to 8 hrs to fiddle with a cleaning process. For my own taste I'd rather clean in 10 minutes and enjoy a nice trail trek for the next 5 to 6 hrs. ... (There was still a lingering very mild smell of foot funk mixed with mint post clean-up)

The UV lights systems (SteriShoe and a couple of others) are interesting, cost more than $150.00 for the system. Yes, it will kill the bacteria causing stench but it will leave all the dead bodies on the insoles. You will still have to wash clean the accumulated dead gunk once every other week or you will be in a very slippery mess ....

Mouthwash, vinegar and peroxide do work well but will not kill everything and there will still be a pesky smell remaining.

Sportzyme and worked OK; it's an expensive product that I believe to be overpriced for its performance.

Lysol was very interesting, as it did removed the smell but the bacterias were mostly still active after treatment was applied. And I am told that there was a slippery feeling in the VFF's afterward.

Notes on Vinegar:
My lab tests and results do show that exposure to vinegar diluted to 2% (pH 2.24) and subsequent exposure to moderate UV lights (similar to a northern 42 Deg. Lat.  summer sun) drastically accelerated the degradation of the glues binding the fabric to the rubber in VFF"s.  Use with extreme caution.

For people with severe foot sweating,  a simple solution is to spray antiperspirant or apply Crystal Deodorant Salts on your clean dry feet before donning your footwear.  It's simple and works great. No sweat, no stink !

I am sure that, as the time goes by, there will be new tricks used to clean your favorite footwear.

Then again, I must emphasize the following:

Never let you VFF"s go out of control. The more you wait, the more difficult it will be to get your VFF's clean again. 

Also, your VFF's will last much longer if you keep them clean. 
Keep in mind that sebum, sweat and other fatty acids are formidable enemies of rubber compounds and other synthetic textiles. 

It all comes down to Basic hygiene; Prevention and a good maintenance regimen will give you years of fun times with your FiveFingers footwear. I am not a clean freak but since I was born with only 1 pair of feet and I hear that they are not replaceable I'd rather take good care of them and my footwear too.

Providing that you can stand wearing socks, Injinji is a premier maker of sport toe socks & liners that works perfect with FiveFingers footwear. This solution works beautifully but if you choose not to wear socks then clean, clean clean.... repeat ... clean, clean, clean ...

Agent Orange Blossom

Keep on Trekking !

Notes:



Dirty minimalistic footwear can also cause nasty blisters;  here is the rundown on the topic
Blisters, Tips & Prevention

Tea Tree Oil appears to dissolve the glue on our test trails .. so, if you use the oil be very careful.
Info on Culture Media for the Growth of Bacteria
©2000 Kenneth Todar, University of Wisconins-Madison

This article is a follow-up to my previous entry on the same topic. If you haven't read it yet I highly recommend it; it's very informative, and can be found here

http://fivefingers-tips.blogspot.com/2011/06/stinky-fivefingers-why-and-fix.html
Lysol, OxyClean, Sportzyme, SteriShoe, Arm&Hammer are commercial branded products owned by their own Copyrights on which I have no claim.

I Get Nasty Blisters with my FiveFingers... Why ???

A buddy of mine, which converted to FiveFingers minimalist footwear 6 months ago, came to my lab a couple weeks back and we discussed his issues with massive blisters on the great toes, on the side of the foot and heel.

This, according to my friend, appears to happen after a 8 or more miles run. Joe does not wear socks just like many of us VFF-ers .... Blisters that he never had before and, so far, are a recent occurrence.

So I proceeded to elaborate on blisters, causes, effects, and remedies. (A little science is always fun)

BLISTERS
It turns out that blisters are pretty common among athletes, that they wear socks or not. Blisters develop when the feet and the footwear continuously rub together, causing the outer layers of the skin to separate from the inner layers; the gap created is then filled with lymph fluids. Then come the pain.

Blisters normally will heal on their own; the lymph fluid is reabsorbed and disappear and as you shed your outer skin everything looks good soon after.

Some blisters will pop (or sometimes we do it our-self) causing them to become infected. Medical attention is highly recommended if you see blood and some yellow liquids coming out of the blister bubble.

On such injuries I always use MoleSkin from Dr. Scholl's or whatever is similar to "MoleSkin". This product provides a waterproof shield and really relieves the pain associated with blisters. I clean and dry the area to be treated, cover the hot spots with patches of MoleSkin , put my favorite footwear back on and keep going.

What are the culprits in causing blisters on your feet?

• Moisture
• Heat
• Friction
• Slippage footwear not properly secured or too big
• Fungal infections of the skin

While walking downtown to get a good cup of Java, Joe asked me if my feet were slipping in my VFF's . After telling him that I never had such problems I decided to get a closer look at his problem.

While quizzing Joe about his running habits I found out that he cleaned his VFF's on average once a month., runs every days for at least 1 hr and wear his VFF"s for at least 10 hrs a day.

Then Joe tells me " I feel like my feet are slipping in my VFF's after I wear them for 30 minutes ..."

Then I thought ..... Oh Yeah ... Dead skin, Sebum, body fat, ....... !

So, I told Joe to give it a try to my methods:

• Clean your VFF's every nights,
• Make sure they are dry before you wear them again
• Clean your feet before you wear your VFF's .....
• And let's see what happens.

He agreed.

Just got a call from Joe this evening .... Will be having coffee tomorrow PM .... And the good news are that Joe has been blister free for 2 weeks; he is a pretty happy camper again.......

Yes, it's a fact that poorly maintained FiveFingers and poor hygiene will cause all sorts of problems including nasty blisters that will most definitely hamper your exercise routine.


Have Fun and Keep it Clean !

Agent Orange Blossom.

 Note:

Probably the easiest way to clean your VFF's is to jump in the shower with them, and when you are done, use the suds as you are rinsing, a quick rub then rinse again and you are done.  All you have left to do is to let your VFF's dry in a coll, well ventilated area overnight.

Also see my article on the topic: Link below.
http://fivefingers-tips.blogspot.com/2011/09/stinky-fivefingers-other-minimalist.html

FiveFingers Repair ** How To ** From A to Z

Although Vibram is more than excellent with their outstanding 90 days Warranty exchange "No questions Asked" policy on all their FiveFingers products, there are times when you truly wish that the Vibram Warranty would go forever.

So, when something dramatic happens to your most favorite footwear you must come up with something creative to fix the problem permanently. For instance, a friend brought me a pair of VFF's SPRINT in pretty bad shape and I looked into the problem and devised this repair.

I also had my favorite blue BIKILA big toe come unglued; time to fix this too!

To make an effective and permanent repair on your VFF's you will need some basic tools, such as:

• Denatured Alcohol
• Cotton Swabs
• Locking Clamps
• Pressure Clamps
• Dental Pick
• Shoe Goo
• High Density Foam (not necessary but very practical)

Shoe Goo ... Why ??? Shoe Goo is a "flexible when dry" polyurethane bonding agent that contains Toluene (C₆H₅CH₃₎, a clear, water-insoluble liquid; Chemically it is a mono-substituted benzene derivative, i.e. one in which a single hydrogen atom from the benzene molecule has been replaced by a univalent group, in this case CH3. Since it is a solvent, Toluene will react with nylons, polyamides & polyurethanes based fabrics by fusing them together when pressure is applied to the materials. The results are a waterproof bond that will last.

It should be said that I also investigated other glues and had some pretty awful results:

Crazy Glue leaves a hard crunchy residue that will crack easily and further damage your VFF"s
Rubber Cement gave me the worse results, causing discoloration, and the repair came unglued with the first wash. I got a similar result with LocTite Stik'n Seal and SuperGlue.


The best way to repair a partially detached sole or pad from the fabric is as follows:

• Thoroughly clean and dry your Fivefingers
• Use a dental pick to remove dust dirt glue scraps
• Clean the area with denatured alcohol and let dry for 30 min
• Use the plastic end of a cotton swab and apply a thin even coat of Shoe Goo on both sides of the area to be repaired
• Align the 2 pieces together and press between fingers
• Install the clamps evenly across the glued area
• Allow to dry completely for 24 Hrs in a ventilated area.
• Keep in mind that the bonding process works much better at temperatures above 66 °F
• Use Crazy Glue only to reset the laces in the Velcro/leather tab on the LS series.

Here are a couple pictures of the process: (click on Picture for larger view)

Tools of the Trade


FiveFingers SPRINT ** before repair TOP ** Clamped Middle ** Completed Repair Bottom
Here is an example of a repair on a MOC pad:
Repair Work for Detaching side on KSO
BIKILA toe bumper repair; the foam toes are inserted to provide leverage & grip

BIKILA Toe Repair Completed (at only 700 miles got to take care of them)

SPEED or BIKILA LS or BIKILA ???? So Many Choices !

SPEED BIKILA & BIKILA LS Sole




Been asked today about the differences between the BIKILA and BILILA LS and SPEED ....

First the3 models in question have the same core sole;the BIKILA® features a Dri-Lex® covered 3mm polyurethane insole (thickest under the ball of the foot) and a 4mm anatomical pod outsole design that offers more plating for underfoot protection. It also distributes forefoot impact without compromising important ground feedback essential to a proper forefoot-strike running form. To finish off this breakthrough design, the upper has a more athletic padded collar and topline, a single hook-and-loop closure, 3M™ reflective surfaces and tear-resistant TPU toe protection.

The BIKILA LS has the same features and The BIKILA LS’ upper is constructed of Coconut Active Carbon for natural breathability.

The SPEED offers the same features as the BIKILA and the SPEED has a breathable Nylon/Poly sandwich mesh upper, a Lycra fabric flex zone on the upper vamp, and Non Slip Nylon Lace 10 eye System. The only noticeable difference is in the thickness of the insole which is roughly 1 mm thinner than the BIKILA, in general I find that the SPEED gives a better ground feedback.  Overall, the SPEED is definitely the perfect travel companion; not my choice for long runs but absolutely casual perfect for an all night-out.  

The BIKILA LS seems to fit a wider foot than the SPEED although, in my opinion, the SPEED offers a better, more precise lacing system than the BIKILA LS. Furthermore I also find, after 2 years of usage, that the SPEED is much more breathable (with the sandwich mesh upper) than the BIKILA LS. The SPEED also has a more casual look.

In the end it is up to each individual's comfort zone and you can expect the same performance, that you choose the BIKILA or the BIKILA LS  as your preferred running footwear. and the SPEED for casual wear.

Agent Orange Blossom


BIKILA LS top BIKILA Bottom


Thanks To Vibram Italy HQ for FiveFingers descriptions.